Religious Studies Online Bachelor Degree Programs

Religious studies online bachelor programs provide learners with a broad-based humanities education. Earning a religious studies degree gives students an opportunity to unite faith-based studies with a professional career.

Those who pursue religious studies degrees may be interested in entering into faith-based careers, or they may simply enjoy studying religion and how it impacts societies and cultures.

With a bachelors in religious studies online degree from an accredited online college, graduates can work in ministry, research, teaching, counseling and social work or other related fields. A religious studies degree may also form the foundation for a completely unrelated career, such as a career in business, law, medicine or writing.

Accredited Christian & Religious Studies Online Colleges

Grand Canyon University

Online Religious Studies Bachelor Degree Programs

BA in Christian Studies
BA in Christian Studies - Biblical/Theological Studies
BA in Christian Studies - Christian Leadership
BA in Christian Studies - Pastoral Ministry
BA in Christian Studies - Youth Ministry

Liberty University

Religious Studies Online Bachelor Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Religion
Bachelor of Psychology - Christian Counseling
Biblical Studies (Minor)
Church Ministries(Minor)
Christian Counseling (Minor)

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Who Should Earn a Religious Studies Bachelor Degree?

If you are interested in religion in general, rather than Christianity specifically, you may enjoy the education of a religious studies degree and the ability to utilize that degree in a professional job after graduation. Students who want to study various religions, the differences between religions or the impact of religion on society also benefit from a religious studies degree.

If you want to focus exclusively on Christian ministry, then you may want to pursue a B.A. in Christian Ministry or Biblical and Theological Studies instead of a general religious studies degree, as those degrees focus more on Christian studies with the goal of providing the learner an education to enter the Christian ministry. A religious studies degree is more general, and provides a comprehensive overview of major religions.

Education & Curriculum for Religious Studies Degree

A religious studies degree doesn't focus on Christianity or the study of the Bible alone, instead, religious studies are almost a secular study of various religions. Religious studies typically include Christian studies, but they also include study of the other major world religions and cultures. Coursework in a religious studies degree program may include: religious systems management, counseling and social work, business marketing and management, and classes on Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity and other religions.

Depending on what college you attend, religious studies is more a secular study of world religions, including the aspects of anthropology, sociology, cultural impact and history relative to religious beliefs and events. However, some faith-based colleges and institutions offer religious study programs that focus more on Christian studies, and may be better suited to providing students with an education to enter into Christian ministry than a general religious studies education. Thus different online colleges offer different religious studies degree specializations.

Career Opportunities for Religious Studies Graduates

While many students choose to go on to theological graduate studies or seminaries, other career opportunities exist for religious studies graduates. Graduates of religious studies online programs can choose to pursue Christian ministry or ongoing religious studies. However, students can also branch out into unrelated careers, including careers in business, counseling, teaching, writing or health care.

As a humanities-based degree, religious studies provide students with insight into human nature, culture and faith-based belief systems, which can form a good foundation for many careers. Graduates may choose to become parish ministers, assistant professors, religious activities directors, counselors, directors of non-profit organizations or many other exciting careers.

Career Outlook and Salaries for Religious Studies Jobs

Jobs for students who complete a religious studies degree are myriad, and the job outlook and salary ranges greatly from profession to profession. The career outlook for some professions is quite good, while other religious studies jobs for those who have completed a religious studies bachelor degree program have average career outlooks or relatively low salaries. Education, for example, has an average career outlook. The median salary for an education director is $53,000, while the median salary for a tenured professor is around $74,000. Students who complete a religious studies degree may also choose to go into business, which has a better-than-average career outlook, depending on the field, and median salaries in business are around $55,000. The median income for a parish minister with a religious studies degree is $28,000.